SELF-DETERMINATION IN IRELAND.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR...I Sia,—For a long time past I have read- with interest your state- ments of the argument that, if self-determination should be recognized in relation to Ireland at all, logic demands that Unionist Ulster should have as great a right to the benefits of it as anyone else. I believe it is a fact that this principle is accepted by Sinn Fein, with the proviso, of course, that Ulster is a part of Ireland. One thing puzzles me, however, and I venture to ask if you will print this letter and deal with the query. You argue that self-determination involves the main- tenance of the present new Belfast Parliament and its boundaries of jurisdiction. But have not Tyrone, Fermanagh, .Derry City, and East Down protested—and should not self- determination apply to those parts of already dismembered Inster?—I am, Sir, &c., T. W. POYNTER. 106 Gillespie Road, Highbury, N. 5.
[We have answered this question more than once, but as we have no doubt that Mr. Poynter asks it sincerely we will answer it again. At the General Election for the Northern Parliament, which was conducted on the principle of Propor- tional Representation, the Protestant Unionists won 40 seats out of 52. The Nationalists and the Simi Feiners won 6 seats each. Over 90 per cent. of the electors voted. In Londonderry city and county the Unionists won 3 seats out of 5, in Down 6 out of 8, in Tyrone-Fermanagh 4 out of 8. That there are
pockets "-of malcontents in this predominantly Unionist area cannot be denied. In this imperfect world such things are bound to happen. That is why plebiscites, and even General Elections, can never wholly answer any question. All one can safely say in the present case is that on the combined grounds of the voting and of the very close connexion between the Unionists of Tyrone and Fermanagh with those of the other four counties of North-East Ireland, it is reasonable to include Tyrone and Fermanagh in the Northern area, and that it would he unreasonable to include them in the Southern area. As for Derry City and East Down, Mr. Poynter must surely see that bits of a generally homogeneous area cannot possibly bo detached. If it were possible to do so, Englishmen would cer- tainly not consent to the Southern loyalists being engulfed in the Sinn Fein area.—En. Spectator.]
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